10 Effective Tips on How to Save Money on Electricity

Everyone is looking for ways to save money. Whether it’s driving a hybrid car, using coupons for groceries, or even taking a shorter shower in the morning, most of us will do almost anything to keep from wasting a dollar.

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to cut costs is to learn how to save money on electricity. Does it seem like your home energy bill keeps going up year after year? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s take a look at some tips that can help you shave every dollar possible from your energy bill each month.

10 Effective Tips on How to Save Money on Electricity

It’s easy for your electricity bill to skyrocket in the blazing hot summer months. But there are some ways you can save on utilities without suffering in the heat. Here are 10 tips on how to save money on electricity.

1. Install a Tankless Water Heater

These energy-efficient water heaters provide hot water only when it’s needed rather than holding the hot water in a storage tank. This saves on your energy bill because a tankless water heater is not constantly running in order to keep the water hot.

2. Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

This is one of the most effective yet least expensive changes in your home that can make a very real impact on your energy bill. A CFL, or Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb, costs only a few dollars, yet used about 75 percent less energy and lasts 10 times longer than conventional incandescent bulbs.

High-quality CFLs also reduce mercury emissions because they require less energy electricity from power plants.

3. Service Your Air Conditioner

When you stop and think about it, nearly half of your home’s energy bill is spent on heating and cooling. This means that the HVAC unit is what uses the most electricity in a house. Thankfully there are things you can do to help it run more efficiently.

Make sure to change your air filter on a regular basis. It’s cheap, easy, and only takes few minutes. Do this every couple of months and you’ll be shocked how you’ll shave dollars from your monthly bill.

Have your HVAC unit serviced annually by a professional to be sure there are no problems so that it will continue running in top form. Consider planting trees or shrubs around the air conditioner to protect it from the sun. And also think about replacing it with a new, more-efficient unit that can save you even more money.

4. Clean the Lint From Your Dryer

This might seem obvious, or perhaps even a little silly. But you might be surprised to learn that a dirty lint screen can cause your dryer to use 30 percent more electricity than a clean one.

Another great tip is to dry loads back-to-back without letting the dryer cool down. This uses less energy by not forcing the dryer to heat up again between loads of laundry.

5. Install Smart Switches

Installing motion sensors in your home helps you to only turn on lights when you need them. They turn the lights on when you enter a room and turn them off again when you leave. This alone could save you more than $100 per year.

You can also use timers to control bath fans so that they run at a preset time, and then shut off after a specified time.

These smart switches are great because they work automatically so that you don’t have to think about turning things on and off, saving you money while you focus on other things.

To learn more about how electricity experts can help you, take a look at Linc Electric.

6. Pay Attention to Your Window Shades

Something as simple as opening your shades during the winter and closing them during the summer is another way to save money. Keeping them open during the coldest months of the year, you’re able to use the UV rays from outside to naturally heat your house.

And closing them during the heat of the summer helps seal the cool air inside, helping your air conditioner to run less while keeping your home nice and cool.

7. Changing the Rotation of Ceiling Fans

Many people don’t realize that there is a switch on their ceiling fans that reverses the direction the blades turn. The purpose of this is to push warm air down during the winter and to cause a comfortable breeze during months when the temperature outside is hot.

8. Make Sure Your Home Is Properly Sealed and Insulated

Good insulation is one of the primary ways to save on electricity. This includes both your walls and attic. Also, check your pipes to make sure they are properly wrapped.

Keep in mind that a lot of energy is wasted around doors and windows that are not properly sealed. This is an easy fix that can save a lot of money over the years

9. Conserve Water

Little things add up, and this includes the small ways that many people waste water on a daily basis. Leaky faucets with slow drips, and toilets that don’t shut off properly waste more water than you might imagine.

Another frequent way people tend to waste water is by letting the spigot run while they brush their teeth. Let’s just all admit that this is a silly, wasteful habit.

10. Unplugging Home Electronics

Leaving home electronics plugged in while not in use is much like ignoring a dripping faucet. Electronics like televisions, DVD players, and kitchen appliances typically consume around 4 watts when not in use.

A quick and simple solution is to unplug these items until you need them or turn them off at the surge protector.

Easy Ways to Save Money Every Day

Most people don’t want to be wasteful, they simply don’t know how to save money on electricity. Many of the tips shared in this article are simple, can be done by anyone, and won’t cost you a dime to implement.

Saving money on energy is mostly about being knowledgeable, and then taking the time to take care of simple matters around the house.